May 14 -- Listeners across Iran are talking about the recent increases in the price of rice, a staple of the Iranian diet. "Although the price of rice has risen all over the world, it shouldn't happen here because oil prices are at more than $120 a barrel," said one Radio Farda listener [text in Persian]. During the show Your Voice is Farda's Voice, listeners also weighed in on the crisis in Lebanon [audio in Persian].
Workers Protest Government Neglect
May 12 -- During an anti-government protest in southwestern Iran, thousands of workers shouted, "We are workers at Haft-Tapeh sugarcane factory. We are Hungry!" One protestor called for "all Iranian workers to declare their support for [workers at the] Haft-Tapeh sugarcane factory in whatever way they can" [audio in Persian].
New Rules Lead to Student Unrest
May 8 -- An activist at Hamedan's Bu-Ali Sina University says students are rallying to protest new regulations issued by the university's disciplinary committee. Calling them an insult to students' intelligence, the student blames the restrictions on President Ahmadinejad's recent trip to Hamedan [text in Persian].
Human Rights Activist in Critical Condition
May 13 -- The lawyer for human rights activist Emadedin Baghi says a heart attack his client suffered while in prison may be the reason Baghi is now in critical condition. Baghi was hospitalized after the heart attack in December 2007, according to his lawyer, but returned to prison before treatment could be completed [audio in Persian].
Should Iran Export its Revolution?
May 13 -- University professor Sadegh Zibakalam, analyst and cleric Ahmad Ghabel and former diplomat Mehrdad Khansari debated differing interpretations of the "export of Iran's revolution" during Radio Farda's weekly roundtable "Viewpoints" [text in Persian].
Iran's Worsening Economic Conditions
May 13 -- Economist Fereidoun Khavand commented on an "amazing paradox" in Iran's economic performance: despite the huge rise in global oil prices, both Iran's leadership and people are growing more fearful of worsening economic conditions [text in Persian].
President Ahmadinejad's Apocalyptic Beliefs
May 13 -- Four analysts discuss the reaction of Iranian clerics to President Ahmadinejad's recent statement that "the Hidden Imam leads Iran" [audio in Persian].
Radio Farda Launches New Cultural Program
May 11 -- Radio Farda's new 25-minute weekly program, Cultural Mix [text in Persian] offers news and critiques from the world of art.